Page:On the Desert - Recent Events in Egypt.djvu/148

 centre of gravity in a realm, to which all other things must and will accommodate themselves." Would it not be well if some of our modern pretenders to statesmanship did not so completely ignore its existence and its power?

The Religion which Moses gave to the Hebrews was not one merely of abstract ideas: it was incarnated in an outward and visible worship, by which it addressed the senses. On the desert there could not be the imposing and majestic service of the Temple. Yet even here was the Tabernacle set up and the altar, and was offered the daily sacrifice: the smoke and the incense below ascending towards the pillar of cloud above, and the fire on the altar answering to the pillar of fire in the midnight sky. This daily and nightly worship made religion a real, because a visible, thing; it appealed to the senses and touched the imagination of the people, and held their spirits in awe. And how did that feeling of a God dwelling in the midst of them, inspire them with courage for great efforts and great sacrifices! Weak as they were, they were made strong because they had a Divine Helper, and went forth to battle with confidence, as they sang the stirring psalm, "Rise up, Lord, and let Thine enemies be scattered!"

If further proof were needed to show the wisdom of Moses in the constitution of the Hebrew state, and of those laws which he set round it as its perpetual defence, it is furnished by its subsequent history, which we have but to follow to see how necessary, after all, were those restrictions, and how wise was the great Lawgiver in guarding his people against idolatry. The influence of his mighty name remained for a whole generation after he was in his sepulchre. "The people served the Lord all the days of Joshua, and of the elders that